Business Development Manager

Job SummaryFollowing our previous BD Manager's return to diplomatic service, we seek an exceptional Business Development Manager to drive our international growth agenda across Europe and Asia.This role combines rebuilding our BD department from scratch, strategic deal-making, partnerships creation, and tender management across our six business units: impact measurement, financial advisory, R&D thought leadership, innovation ecosystems, grant writing, and deep tech solutions.The role requires deep understanding of how startups operate and scale.Therefore, the person may be flexible to act proactively and take ownership in various tasks, including delivery.Position DetailsJob Title: Business Development & Strategic Partnerships ManagerLocation: Milan OR London (hybrid) with travels across European and Asian marketsType: Full-time Contractor with the opportunity to join as employee (depending on applicant profile) and open to future partnership based on resultsYour Profile / Background (more than one highly valuable)Management consulting (Manager / Senior Manager level)Investment banking (VP / Director level)Corporate development in real estate or infrastructureInternational development organizations (commercial roles)Successful scale-up (Series B+) as senior BDKey ResponsibilitiesStrategic Business Development (50%)Identify and qualify new business opportunities across Europe and AsiaNavigate institutional networks for off-market opportunitiesLead negotiations and structure €100k-2M advisory mandatesAchieve €1.5-2M annual revenue targetCreate partnership framework generating 30% of leadsStructure partnerships with organizations serving similar clients (no competition, high complementarity)Develop and maintain relationships with C-suite executives, institutional investors, government officials, multilateral organizationsIdentify and build consortium opportunities and partnership anglesBuild relationships with decision-makers in public sector organizations, complementary partners, procurement teams at target organizationsBuild referral network among private equity, real estate developers, and institutional investorsScout relevant tenders across World Bank, Horizon Europe, EBRD, ADB, and national frameworksRepresent PlusValue at international conferences and industry events, converting marketing efforts into qualified leadsStrategic Delivery (30%)Act as key account manager balancing profitability and client expectationsSupport project inception and critical delivery phasesCoordinate 3-4 major proposals monthlyFacilitate knowledge transfer between business development and delivery teamsSupport delivery teams during project inception phases and ongoing phases when requiredContribute to thought leadership and market positioningAssist in developing new service offerings based on market feedbackAct as key account for balancing delivery, meeting customer expectations and preserving profitabilityIdentify upsell opportunities within existing accountsOperational Excellence (20%)Develop and maintain PlusValue business development strategyDesign and implement sales methodology suitable for long-cycle advisory salesEstablish lead lifecycle management processImplement business management platformCreate pricing strategies and commercial frameworksDevelop pricing strategies that capture value while enabling client budget approvalBuild Zoho sales configuration, pipeline stages, and forecasting modelsPreserve up to date CRMCreate sales collateral that elevates conversations beyond procurementCross-functional support PlusValue teamRequired QualificationsEducationMaster's degree required.While all relevant specializations will be considered based on experience and track record, particularly valuable backgrounds include Engineering, Innovation and business Management, Technology Transfer, Environmental Science, International Relations.ExperienceProven track record closing €1M+ annually in complex B2B / B2G dealsExperience with 3–9-month sales cycles, multiple stakeholdersDemonstrated capability generating high-quality leads with low CACStrong financial acumen for structuring commercial proposalsEffectively negotiate commercial terms and contractsExcellence in cross-cultural stakeholder managementStrategic commercial acumen to weekly update leads pipeline and opportunitiesExcellence in stakeholder management across culturesComfort selling intangible services and custom solutionsTechnical SkillsProject management methodologiesBudget management for multi-partner proposalsProficiency with cloud-based and digital toolsCRM and Business management systemsLanguage RequirementsEnglish: Native or Business-level fluency (C1)Russian or Arabic – are a plusPersonal AttributesHunter mentality – Self-motivated to find and close dealsIntellectual agility – Learn complex topics quickly to sell crediblyResilient persistence – Navigate long sales cycles and complex stakeholdersCultural awareness – Operate across European and Asian business contextProfessional presence – Credibility with senior government officialsAdaptability outlook – Thrive in boutique environment vs large organizationEntrepreneurial mindset – proactive with ability to work autonomouslyInterests about sustainability and social impactCultural intelligence and diplomatic communication styleTeam player comfortable in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environmentThrives in demanding environments with tight deadlinesPreferred QualificationsAdditional languages: Italian, Mandarin, Hindi, SpanishExisting relationships with European / Asian funding bodies, development banksKnowledge of impact measurement, ESG frameworksStartup or high-growth experienceUnderstanding of Social Impact Bonds, blended financeWhat We're NOT Looking ForVolume-focused hunters prioritizing activity over strategyCorporate BD expecting full infrastructurePure relationship managers without process-buildingTechnology / SaaS velocity sales backgrounds"Crushing quotas" or "sales warrior" mentalitiesWhat We OfferPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTBuild and scale strategic business unit with P&L responsibilityCross-functional exposure with leadership teamHigh-impact cross-border projectsIndustry network expansionWORK-LIFE BALANCEFlexible Schedule and hybrid work setup (3 days per week in office in either Milan or London)Location Flexibility: Option to work from Milan or London offices as neededStartup Culture: Collaborative, fast-paced environment with direct impact visibilityCOMPENSATION & BENEFITSCompetitive Salary: Market-rate compensation commensurate with experience and profile.Performance Bonus: Annual bonus based on company and individual performance based on agreed sales targets.Equity Participation as per company incentive schemeApplication ProcessInitial screening call (30 minutes)Technical interview call: case study and presentation (90 minutes)Final interview with leadership team (2 x 30 minutes)Equal Opportunity StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status.All personal data will be processed in accordance with GDPR and UK Data Protection Act ****.#J-*****-Ljbffr